Why Ime Udoka believes Celtics didn’t give themselves a chance in Game 2: ‘We were searching for fouls’

https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2022/06/why-ime-udoka-believes-celtics-didnt-give-themselves-a-chance-in-game-2-we-were-searching-for-fouls.html



Why Ime Udoka believes Celtics didn’t give themselves a chance in Game 2: ‘We were searching for fouls’



Updated: Jun. 06, 2022, 7:07 a.m. | Published: Jun. 05, 2022, 11:49 p.m.




Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka, middle left, talks with players during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco, Sunday, June 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)AP


By Brian Robb | brobb@masslive.com



The Celtics looked like they were ready to handle increased physicality from a desperate Warriors in the opening minutes of Game 2. However, that possibility faded on once the third quarter alive.

Golden State outscored Boston 35-14 in the period and put the game away early in the fourth quarter by extending that domination into a 25-2 run, leading to a runaway win for the hosts.

Draymond Green talked about wanting the Warriors wanting to up their physicality and Ime Udoka was not pleased with how the Celtics responded.


“We weren’t strong with the ball overall, so it wasn’t just him,” Udoka said. “Of course he’s going to come out and try to set the tone. But I think we weren’t strong with the ball a lot, searching for fouls instead of going up and making plays, especially with their lack of rim protection.

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“For us, that was a little disappointing, to give up 33 points off of 19 turnovers. That’s kind of been a constant theme in the Playoffs. When that happens, we’re in trouble.”

The Celtics have had their fair share of struggles in the third quarter this postseason, having a -3.4 net rating in the frame entering Game 2 on Sunday night. Despite hot shooting nights from Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown early, the team could not

“We look at it as a disappointing loss in Game 2, a game we didn’t play up to our potential and our standard,” Udoka said. “Regardless of what happened in Game 1, that’s behind us. We had opportunities. Like I said, to give up 18 of their 52 in the first half based off turnovers, and obviously allowed them to be in that situation up two.

“Opportunities to play much better, one wasted in the first half and then obviously the third quarter got away from us even more, as opposed to the first half where we turned it over a lot and we were still scoring. It worked against us in that half not only the turnovers but poor offense. A lot of those led to leak-outs, as well.”

The constant miscues kept the Warriors in the game in the first half despite a slow start by their supporting cast around Stephen Curry. Ultimately, when the struggles continued after halftime, Boston dug a hole too deep for themselves to get out of.

“I don’t think we got as much penetration to the paint,” Udoka said of the offensive woes. “They switched a few more things. Then turned the ball over and didn’t give ourselves a chance with a lot of those turnovers.”

The series now shifts to Boston for Game 3 on Wednesday night as the Celtics look to try to regain momentum in front of the TD Garden crowd.


Bob
MY NOTE:  We're the bigger team.  If they want to play physical, and the refs blow the game evenly, I'm good with that.  Steph Curry's listed at 6'2" 185#.  Payton Pritchad is 6'1, 195# and he's the smallest rotation player we have.


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